title: An effective modification to simplify the right atrial lesion set of the Cox-cryomaze.
abstract: Reluctance to perform biatrial Cox-cryomaze is primarily to avoid the vexation of creating a right-atrial-lesion (RAL) set of Cox-Maze-III. An alternative pattern of RAL set includes (i) a horizontal atriotomy, continued medially as a linear cryolesion across the posterior tricuspid annulus, (ii) a cavocaval lesion, and (iii) a lateral cryolesion from the midportion of the atriotomy to the tip of the right atrial appendage (RAA). This latter lesion is a substitute for a cryolesion that, in past, was directed medially by a stab wound in the tip of the RAA to the anterior tricuspid annulus. Use of the simplified RAL set, therefore, allows for more deftly achieving a complete biatrial Cox-cryomaze.
authors.affiliation: Aegis Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. faisal.cheema@me.com
authors.forename: Faisal H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.forename: Muhammad J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Younus
authors.forename: Arham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pasha
authors.forename: James L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Harold G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male